infant child seat
- Thread starter BLHowie
- Start date
From Consumersreport:
The rear facing seats for infants all suck IMO because they're awkward and tough to install tight. Consider taking it and your car to your nearest fire station and have them show you the proper was to install your seat.
Safely seated
The best infant car seats pass crash tests and help you avoid dangerous mistakes when strapping your baby in
Studies estimate that as many as 80 percent of infant car seats may be installed or used improperly, which can dramatically increase a child's risk of injury in a crash. So it's essential to pick a seat that's not only safe but also easy to use and a good fit for your vehicle. Our tests at an independent lab put 11 rear-facing infant seats through simulated 30-mph head-on crash tests to see how they would protect an infant in a crash. They all met minimum requirements when used according to the manufacturer's directions. We also asked certified child-passenger safety technicians to see how easy each seat was to use and to install properly. There, we found big differences; the seats at right got high scores. But remember that any car seat is better than none at all. So whatever seat you own, use it every time you and your little one take a drive.
Features to look for
1
Level indicator. This makes it super easy to see if the seat is at the correct angle. If it's not, your baby won't be fully protected.
2
Recline adjuster. This allows you to tilt the seat back to reach a safe angle. Look for one with a button, knob, or dial that's easy to use.
3
Easy-open chest clip and single-step harness adjuster. They help make these frequent adjustments correct and secure, and you'll find it easier to get your tot in and out without fuss.
4
"Push-on" style LATCH connectors. They're often easier to use than hooks, especially if the vehicle's LATCH anchors are hard to reach.
5
Five-point harness. Found in almost all car seats, it keeps infants more secure than a three-point model.
TIP: If you have two cars but just one child, buy an extra base instead of a second car seat.
best overall:
Chicco KeyFit
Price: $160
Why we like it: This seat is loaded with lots of easy-to-use features, including a push-button recline adjustment. And it was easy to install in every vehicle we tested.
Where to buy it: Babies "R" Us, online
bargain buy:
Baby Trend Flex-Loc Adjustable Back
Price: $90
Why we like it: It fit nicely in all tested vehicles and has easy-to-use LATCH connectors and a comfortable handle.
Where to buy it: Babies "R" Us, online
The rear facing seats for infants all suck IMO because they're awkward and tough to install tight. Consider taking it and your car to your nearest fire station and have them show you the proper was to install your seat.
Safely seated
The best infant car seats pass crash tests and help you avoid dangerous mistakes when strapping your baby in
Studies estimate that as many as 80 percent of infant car seats may be installed or used improperly, which can dramatically increase a child's risk of injury in a crash. So it's essential to pick a seat that's not only safe but also easy to use and a good fit for your vehicle. Our tests at an independent lab put 11 rear-facing infant seats through simulated 30-mph head-on crash tests to see how they would protect an infant in a crash. They all met minimum requirements when used according to the manufacturer's directions. We also asked certified child-passenger safety technicians to see how easy each seat was to use and to install properly. There, we found big differences; the seats at right got high scores. But remember that any car seat is better than none at all. So whatever seat you own, use it every time you and your little one take a drive.
Features to look for
1
Level indicator. This makes it super easy to see if the seat is at the correct angle. If it's not, your baby won't be fully protected.
2
Recline adjuster. This allows you to tilt the seat back to reach a safe angle. Look for one with a button, knob, or dial that's easy to use.
3
Easy-open chest clip and single-step harness adjuster. They help make these frequent adjustments correct and secure, and you'll find it easier to get your tot in and out without fuss.
4
"Push-on" style LATCH connectors. They're often easier to use than hooks, especially if the vehicle's LATCH anchors are hard to reach.
5
Five-point harness. Found in almost all car seats, it keeps infants more secure than a three-point model.
TIP: If you have two cars but just one child, buy an extra base instead of a second car seat.
best overall:
Chicco KeyFit
Price: $160
Why we like it: This seat is loaded with lots of easy-to-use features, including a push-button recline adjustment. And it was easy to install in every vehicle we tested.
Where to buy it: Babies "R" Us, online
bargain buy:
Baby Trend Flex-Loc Adjustable Back
Price: $90
Why we like it: It fit nicely in all tested vehicles and has easy-to-use LATCH connectors and a comfortable handle.
Where to buy it: Babies "R" Us, online
Last edited:
Not so hot
Evenflo Discovery & Combi Centre ST. The Evenflo is tough to remove from the base, and it lacks a recline adjuster. The Combi has a belt path that was difficult to thread belts through, and the handle was hard to adjust.
TRY IT OUT Not all seats are perfect matches for all cars. So we recommend you try out the one you buy, and if it doesn't fit securely, exchange it for another one.
2
PICK THE RIGHT SPOT The safest place is the center-rear seat. But many cars don't have LATCH connectors there, making it harder to get a secure fit. If you can't, use a different rear seat position.
3
MAKE ADJUSTMENTS Be sure to readjust the seat as your little one gets bigger. Moving the harness straps to a higher level is a no-brainer, but on some seats you have to adjust the crotch strap as well.
No matter how sure you are that you installed your car seat correctly, it's a good idea to have an expert give it a once-over. Go to www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting to find an inspection site near you. Also follow all of the instructions for the vehicle and the seat to get a safe fit.
Evenflo Discovery & Combi Centre ST. The Evenflo is tough to remove from the base, and it lacks a recline adjuster. The Combi has a belt path that was difficult to thread belts through, and the handle was hard to adjust.
TRY IT OUT Not all seats are perfect matches for all cars. So we recommend you try out the one you buy, and if it doesn't fit securely, exchange it for another one.
2
PICK THE RIGHT SPOT The safest place is the center-rear seat. But many cars don't have LATCH connectors there, making it harder to get a secure fit. If you can't, use a different rear seat position.
3
MAKE ADJUSTMENTS Be sure to readjust the seat as your little one gets bigger. Moving the harness straps to a higher level is a no-brainer, but on some seats you have to adjust the crotch strap as well.
No matter how sure you are that you installed your car seat correctly, it's a good idea to have an expert give it a once-over. Go to www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting to find an inspection site near you. Also follow all of the instructions for the vehicle and the seat to get a safe fit.
Chicco KeyFit $160 88. Pass
Britax Companion $200 77. Pass
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP $220 76. Pass
Baby Trend Flex-Loc Adjustable Back CR Best Buy $90 75. Pass
Compass I410 $130 75. Pass
Graco SnugRide with EPS (In December 2007, Graco SnugRide car seat model numbers 8609, 8616, 8643, 8645, and 8646, manufactured between Aug. 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, were recalled because fiberfill from the seat pad could become exposed and pose a choking hazard to babies. Graco is offering free replacement kits to car seat owners. More information can be found on the Graco Web site or by calling (866) 414-6592.) CR Best Buy $90 74. Pass
Graco SafeSeat $150 72. Pass
Evenflo Embrace $70 69. Pass
Safety 1st Designer $70 68. Pass
Combi Centre ST (On March 3, 2008, Combi recalled approximately 67,000 Centre, Centre ARB and Shuttle child safety seats that could fail to adequately protect children in a frontal collision. Models 8065, 8074, 8086, 8087, 8520, 4400, 4515, 4520 manufactured from October 2005 through December 2007 were affected by the recall. Parents should check their seats immediately, and contact Combi toll-free at 1-800-543-7734 or visit their website at www.combi-intl.com for more information.) $110 55. Pass
Evenflo Discovery (On February 1, 2008, Evenflo recalled approximately one million Discovery child safety seats that could fail to adequately protect children in a high impact side collision. Models 390, 391, 534 and 552, manufactured between April 2005 and January 29, 2008, were affected by the recall. Parents should check their seats immediately, and contact Evenflo toll-free at 1-800-356-2229 or visit their website at safety.evenflo.com for more information.) $50 55. Pass
Britax Companion $200 77. Pass
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP $220 76. Pass
Baby Trend Flex-Loc Adjustable Back CR Best Buy $90 75. Pass
Compass I410 $130 75. Pass
Graco SnugRide with EPS (In December 2007, Graco SnugRide car seat model numbers 8609, 8616, 8643, 8645, and 8646, manufactured between Aug. 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, were recalled because fiberfill from the seat pad could become exposed and pose a choking hazard to babies. Graco is offering free replacement kits to car seat owners. More information can be found on the Graco Web site or by calling (866) 414-6592.) CR Best Buy $90 74. Pass
Graco SafeSeat $150 72. Pass
Evenflo Embrace $70 69. Pass
Safety 1st Designer $70 68. Pass
Combi Centre ST (On March 3, 2008, Combi recalled approximately 67,000 Centre, Centre ARB and Shuttle child safety seats that could fail to adequately protect children in a frontal collision. Models 8065, 8074, 8086, 8087, 8520, 4400, 4515, 4520 manufactured from October 2005 through December 2007 were affected by the recall. Parents should check their seats immediately, and contact Combi toll-free at 1-800-543-7734 or visit their website at www.combi-intl.com for more information.) $110 55. Pass
Evenflo Discovery (On February 1, 2008, Evenflo recalled approximately one million Discovery child safety seats that could fail to adequately protect children in a high impact side collision. Models 390, 391, 534 and 552, manufactured between April 2005 and January 29, 2008, were affected by the recall. Parents should check their seats immediately, and contact Evenflo toll-free at 1-800-356-2229 or visit their website at safety.evenflo.com for more information.) $50 55. Pass
I had a seat for my son that was pretty cool. It was a 5 point harness. Could be used Rear-facing, then front facing when he got a little older. It was part of a package that came with an aluminum stroller that it connected to. Worked great for us. Babysrus is where we got it.
I think it was called the Graco MetroLite.
I think it was called the Graco MetroLite.
I've got an Evenflo Triumph Advance for my daughter but I've never used it in the CX-7. We primarily use the Graco w/ the base in the CX-7 since it goes w/ the stroller and we take it everywhere as well. I've never had a problem w/ it in the CX-7. When she outgrows that and we have to flip the Evenflo around to front facing and use it in the 7, I'll let ya know how that goes. Our daughter is only 14 weeks right now.
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06Si to CX-7
Member
- :
- 2007 Mazda CX-7
Graco snug ride base with Graco MetroLite stroller/car seat combo works great!
